Our team

At Meridiana, our strength lies in the power of collaboration. Our team brings together a rare combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and cultural fluency. Co-led by Dr. Vanessa Brown, an award-winning scholar with expertise in security and gender studies, and Frieda García Castellanos, a professional with years of experience advising governments, military and security forces, and international organizations throughout the Americas, Meridiana combines rigorous analysis with practical solutions.

 

We are more than consultants; we are experts in building bridges. Rooted in the global South and North, our team speaks the languages, understands the contexts, and navigates the systems that shape policies and practices. With trusted partners in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Indo-Pacific, and a proven track record around the world, we operate at the intersection of gender, governance, and security to deliver relevant insights and strategies that work.
Meridiana is united by a common commitment: to design pathways to gender justice that are ethical, inclusive, and transformative. We view each project as an opportunity to elevate local voices, improve structures, and create lasting solutions.

Dr. Vanessa Brown – co-director

Frieda Castellanos – co-director